Celtic’s van Dijk bonus set to soar

Celtic look set to bag an extra January windfall with Manchester City expected to join the race to sign Virgil van Dijk.

According to a report in The Mirror an injury to John Stones will see City put in a bid for the Southampton defender when the transfer window opens in January.

Southampton dug in through the summer despite expectations that they would cash in on the defender.

Having proved their point they are now expected to sell van Dijk in January to avoid another period of uncertainty at the club.

City have been linked with the former Celt in the past but with Stones out for six weeks Pep Guardiola is set to bring in January reinforcements.

After winning at Leicester on Saturday The Mirror reported the City boss saying: “We’re going to discuss when January is coming. We are going to think about it, but not because John is in that position.

“To play in all the competitions, you need a bigger squad because the players don’t have time for regeneration before the next game.”

Celtic sold van Dijk to Southampton for £10m in August 2015. The sell on clause has never been revealed but even at 10% of any profit they will look certain to pick up at least £5m to add to Brendan Rodgers’ transfer kitty.

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